When the NFL creates the schedule, the final week of the season is always 'to be determined'. This is to ensure the league gets the most important games in the most intriguing time slots in the season finale, as many teams have already been eliminated. We knew after the loss to the Eagles that the Steelers had secured their ticket to playoffs.
Now we know when they will be playing.
Before their despicable three-game skid in late December, the Steelers were in the driver's seat for the AFC North crown. This would have resulted in a home-field advantage in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Now there are three possible outcomes for Pittsburgh, depending on the results of Week 18.
The unlikeliest route is for the Steelers to win against the Bengals and Ravens to lose to the Browns. This would result in a divisional title for Pittsburgh, who would host the Chargers in Round 1 of the playoffs. Mike Tomlin's team could also be playing at Houston or at Baltimore, depending on how things transpire this weekend.
These scenarios create just the right recipe for intrigue in a primetime game.
When is Steelers' Week 18 game vs. Bengals?
After Sunday Night Football in Week 17 came to a close, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter announced the Saturday games for Week 18. The Steelers vs. Bengals will be one of them.
Pittsburgh will host Cincinnati at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, January 4. This is the second game of an AFC North doubleheader that will begin with the Ravens vs. Browns at 4:30 p.m. ET. The broadcast network for both games has yet to be announced.
Week 18 Saturday games:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 30, 2024
🏈Browns at Ravens: 4:30 ET
🏈Bengals at Steelers: 8:00 ET
It was an interesting choice for the league to put the Ravens game before the Steelers. If Baltimore loses to Cleveland, Pittsburgh knows all they must do to secure the AFC North title and home-field advantage in the playoffs is take care of business against Cincinnati on Saturday night.
However, if Baltimore wins, the Ravens will be the AFC North champions. This would give the Steelers some flexibility to ensure their players are healthy heading into the playoffs, as Pittsburgh will be playing on the road either way at this point.
If both the Steelers and Ravens win, Pittsburgh would be in Houston to face the Texans in the Wild Card round of the AFC Playoffs. If the Ravens win and the Steelers lose, Tomlin's team would get their revenge game on the road against Baltimore in Round 1.
The last thing Pittsburgh needs is for one of their best players to get injured heading into the playoffs. This is exactly what happened last year when T.J. Watt went down in the finale and was unable to suit up against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round.
Regardless of what happens, the NFL gifted the Pittsburgh Steelers one more primetime game and a chance to see the results of the Ravens game before they take the field on Saturday.